Nature photographer to show special ‘Ding’ 75th anniversary exhibition

May 15, 2019

Often tagged "the Ansel Adams of Florida," photographer Clyde Butcher has made for himself a big reputation based on big black-and-white nature images taken with big cameras.

Starting on Nov. 13 at the J.N. "Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge will host and mount a special Clyde Butcher exhibition as part of the refuge's 75th anniversary celebration.

The award-winning artist captures the Florida Everglades, coastal islands and other unspoiled areas with stunning majesty.

Article Photos

CLYDE BUTCHERClyde Butcher has extensively photographed his surroundings in the Florida Everglades.

"Wilderness, to me, is a spiritual necessity," Butcher said.

As the refuge approaches its 75th anniversary on Dec. 1, 2020, staff and DDWS are gearing up to celebrate now through the milestone year. Political cartoonist and conservationist Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling saw to the opening of the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge in 1945.

"Jay Darling would surely be proud of how far the refuge has come since its inception," Doris Hardy, chair of the 75th Anniversary Committee, said. "It has added significant acreage to the complex, built a Visitor & Education Center, consistently celebrated conservation art, educated hundreds of millions, and, most importantly, given wildlife a safe haven. We feel we have every right and responsibility to celebrate the occasion in a big way."

The Clyde Butcher Photography 75th Anniversary Celebration will run through Feb. 5 and will include 35 of his renowned images from his Everglades collection, exhibition coordinator Ann-Marie Wildman said.

"The underlying message to this important exhibition is the value of preserving the fragile Everglades habitat and the quality of our waterways," DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller said. "We are seeking sponsors to help support the exhibition and its mission."

To become an exhibition sponsor, contact Dot Voorhees at dot@dingdarlingsociety.org or 239-472-1100 ext. 239. For more information on the exhibition and anniversary events, visit Ding75.org.